Egypt’s monster in the making

Egyptians’ dream of democracy may be dashed if Morsi and the Brotherhood’s draft constitution
expanding state authority over public liberties is approved in a referendum

By Fiorello Provera

llustration: YUSHA

L ast Saturday, Egyptians voted in the first of a two-stage referendum on a draft constitution, with the second leg of vote scheduled this Saturday. A year ago, Egyptians were thrilled to know that finally their country’s constitution would reflect their democratic hopes and aspirations. Yet the document that they are now voting on is more likely to dash those hopes and dim Egyptians’ prospects for democracy.

The constitutional drafting process was rushed, without the input of liberals, non-Muslims, and women, all of whom boycotted the process, owing to the preponderance of Islamists. The Muslim Brotherhood, and primarily Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, is banking on the assumption that the strength of Egypt’s Islamist vote will earn him enough support among “regular Egyptians,” and that the opposition will have little impact on the referendum’s outcome.

One political adviser for the ruling Freedom and Justice Party — the Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing — even boasted that the Brothers could easily mobilize 20 million supporters. The Brothers dismiss those who have demonstrated in the streets during the past three weeks as sympathizers of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

Morsi’s decision on Nov. 22 to grant himself absolute authority for the spurious purpose of defending the revolution is not new for Egypt. A succession of dictator-presidents ruled the country under a state of emergency for more than 40 years. While Morsi has now bowed to pressure to annul a decree granting him powers without judicial oversight, it seems only yesterday that people were prepared to put their fears aside and trust that Morsi was ready to rule in the interests of all Egyptians.

Eric Trager of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said that Morsi’s previous role in the Muslim Brotherhood’s Guidance Council sheds some light on the motives behind his current behavior.

In the past, Morsi advocated a platform that excluded Christians from political life and granted Islamic academics oversight authority to ensure that all legislation complied with Shariah law. He also worked to expunge young members of the Freedom and Justice Party that he deemed to hold dissenting views.

While the draft constitution does contain positive provisions, many are causing concern. For example, Article 11 authorizes the state to “safeguard ethics, public morality and public order, and foster a high level of education and of religious and patriotic values.” This leaves plenty of room for interpretation by the government.

In addition, the mosque of al-Azhar is promised an advisory role in Islamic legislation.

The Brothers’ political opponents have not been silent.

On Dec. 8, the National Salvation Front announced that the draft “does not represent the Egyptian people.”

Moreover, ordinary Egyptians have responded viscerally and swiftly to Morsi’s moves, perhaps more so than he had anticipated. Strikes were called, newspapers halted publication and fears of widespread insurrection remain high. Hundreds have been injured in street clashes in Cairo. The president’s supporters have declared that “defending Morsi is defending Islam.”

Today, Morsi seems as besieged as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The military has barricaded the presidential palace and, until the results of the referendum are announced, they are under orders to protect Egypt’s state institutions.